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DipNote: The Week in Review

Last week, Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides addressed how diplomacy and development enhance national security and the economy. In an opinion piece for Politico.com, Deputy Secretary Nides wrote:

“The State and USAID budget -- all personnel, operations and programs -- is only one percent of the entire federal budget. One percent. That tiny share of the federal budget includes everything from protecting U.S. citizens overseas; to curbing violent extremism and nuclear proliferation; to helping U.S. businesses connect with new customers; to rolling back HIV/AIDS, malaria and child malnutrition; to maintaining our embassies. It funds everything we do to make the rest of the world safe for Americans to live, travel and conduct business -- and everything we do to keep our homeland secure.”

These efforts include the work of 1,000 economic officers and 400 locally employed economic staff at embassies and consulates around the world, where they play a vital role in attracting foreign direct investment to the United States. Foreign direct investment supports more than five million American jobs, including two million in manufacturing.

"The Free Trade Agreements that President Obama submitted to Congress...demonstrate our commitment to strengthen our economic leadership around the world. They are critical to building open, free, transparent, and fair economic platforms in the Asia Pacific and South America. Our foreign policy must deliver results for the American people. These agreements will make it easier for American companies to sell their products in South Korea, Colombia, and Panama, and that will create jobs here at home.

"The stakes are not just economic. These are three important partners in strategically vital regions. Countries everywhere are watching. Passing these deals proves that America can deliver for our friends and allies. It strengthens our leadership around the world."

The Department of State has made women's economic advancement a foreign policy priority. Last week, Secretary Clinton honored 40 women entrepreneurs from 36 African nations. The Secretary said, "...Women hold the key to economic growth in Africa, just as they hold the key to economic growth around the world."

"...Tunisia is one of our oldest friends in the world. Tunisia was one of the first countries to recognize the United States of America over 200 years ago. One of the first trade agreements that we had as a country was with Tunisia. And so I told the Prime Minister that thanks to his leadership, thanks to the extraordinary transformation that's taking place in Tunisia and the courage of its people, I'm confident that we will have at least another two centuries of friendship between our two countries. And the American people will stand by the people of Tunisia in any way that we can during this remarkable period in Tunisian history."

In other news, Secretary Clinton underscored U.S. commitment to the complete elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles in the United States and around the world. Secretary Clinton said, "To date, we have already destroyed 89 percent of our original chemical weapons stockpile. We reaffirm our commitment to finish the job as quickly as possible in accordance with national and treaty requirements."

After hearing about the latest foil attack on the Saudi Official in D.C., just makes you wonder how many other Iran spies are in our country? The State Department might want to start compiling a list of those who have been in our country for years, could be possible sleeper cells. 1.5 Million dollars is nothing comparison to the amount of money the Iran Government makes on oil daily, in the Billions. I would also add what about the Syria connection with Iran? Hamas and Hezbolah? How many of these terrorist live in the United States? I would salute our Security forces for the foil attack, but beware of possible future predictions made from the Iran Government.

Eric

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New Mexico, USA

October 13, 2011

Eric in New Mexico writes:

@ Donald, Palgye,

Are we having fun yet?

Like fellas, don't sweat the fizzled stuff, sip the fizzy stuff,...if it tastes flat, it's because the cap's been off of the 7-up bottle too long...(chuckle).

I gave my government solid info on Majan Airline's "free flyer miles for terrorists" over six years ago.

Dig it, I'm glad folks are finally, publicly hip to this.

I could say, "About freekin' time!", but all good things take place in their own good time , eh?

A very good catch indeed...

You think we can send Iran that 32 Trillion dollar bill I've been pestering folks to send...now? (chuckle)

@ Luke Forgerson,

You once asked me if I "was for real?" and we had a pretty good laugh when I assured you my comments were not exactly computer generated or something to that effect if I remember from a year or so ago. You were not exactly expecting a phone call then and I appreciated you taking the time to chat with me, and I would really appreciate right about now the chance to blow someone's mind in a good way like that again.

So if you would sir, please shoot me an email with a phone number @ State with the appropriate human on the other end of it, so I can assure the Sec. of State's office that I am "for real" about the above comment made.

Onus ain't about the money...it's to get a little peace of mind I know folks @ State know what I know about Iran (all of it) and it is being taken seriously, and that interagency cooperation is manifest in matters of "responsibility to inform".